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Modric deserves Ballon d’Or, says Isco and di Francesco

Di Francesco and Isco back the Croat for prize, after he shines in Real's 3-0 win over Roma

AS Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco said Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric deserved to win the Ballon d'Or after the Croat helped orchestrate a 3-0 win over his side in a Group G Champions League opener yesterday morning (Singapore time).

Reigning champions Real were 2-0 up after 58 minutes through Isco and Gareth Bale before Mariano Diaz sealed the win over last year's semi-finalists in injury time.

Said di Francesco: "The fans want a Real Madrid player to win the Ballon d'Or, but my point of view is with what he did in the national team, he deserves one.

"What he achieved in the World Cup was extraordinary and in Real Madrid, his skills have always been good."

Modric captained his country to the World Cup final in Russia, where they lost 4-2 to France.

Goalscorer Isco, meanwhile, believes that all Real's players should aspire to play at the 33-year-old's level.

He told Spanish broadcaster Movistar+: "We already know what Modric's like, he's a great player and he gives us a lot in each game. Hopefully we can all be at his level.

"I also think he deserves the Ballon d'Or for being a unique player for us and Croatia."

I'm very happy when I hear the Bernabeu singing about the Ballon d'Or, and the praise from my teammates and fans. Of course, I'd like to win it, but I am not obsessed. Real Madrid star Luka Modric

However, his teammate Casemiro believes Cristiano Ronaldo is more deserving.

Said the Brazilian: "Luka's year has been spectacular.

"But in my opinion I would give it to Cristiano Ronaldo because he has been the best throughout last season."

Modric, himself, said he's enjoying the praise but added he was not obsessed with winning football's premier individual accolade.

He said: "I'm very happy when I hear the Bernabeu singing about the Ballon d'Or, and the praise from my team-mates and fans.

"Of course, I'd like to win it, but I am not obsessed or thinking about it every day. Individual awards are great if they come, if not, nothing changes."

Despite the changes at Real Madrid, with coach Zinedine Zidane and star player Ronaldo leaving, not much has changed in terms of results.

Said new boss Julen Lopetegui: "We need to appreciate this win because Roma were a goal from reaching the Champions League final last season, so we knew their quality and that they could make things complicated if we weren't completely up for it.

"Fortunately, we showed a lot of enthusiasm and energy from the start, we were excellent in attack and defence, created a lot of chances and were the worthy winners."

A TEAM OF CHAMPIONS

His Roma counterpart called Real "a team of champions", saying Ronaldo's 100 million-euro (S$160 million) exit to Juventus was never going to change that.

Said di Francesco: "I expected Real Madrid to be this good, they are a team of champions.

"A lot has been said about Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, but if I supported Real, I would not be at all concerned by his exit because they have many more star players.

"They are one of the few teams who could develop without him and they have shown their abundance of quality to compensate for his exit."

One player who has benefited from Ronaldo's exit is Mariano, who returned to the Spanish side after scoring 18 goals for Lyon in Ligue 1 last season.

He said: "I could hardly have asked for a better debut, at home and in the Champions League and scoring as well, and I'm very grateful to my teammates for helping it go as well as it did."

Lopetegui praised the 25-year-old for taking his opportunity, saying: "Mariano came on later, his chance came and he took it... The season is very long and we'll need everyone."

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